YLBHI: 10 Years of Jokowi's Government, Workers' Rights Sacrificed

While President Jokowi visited NTB, workers' actions to commemorate International Labor Day erupted in Jakarta.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

The May Day banner brought by activists to commemorate Labor Day during a solidarity action on Pahlawan Street, Semarang City, Central Java, on Wednesday (1/5/2024). Workers who were on holiday still held a labor solidarity action to demand their welfare and push for changes in government policies related to several laws that are not pro-workers.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS- The board of Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia, or YLBHI, is highlighting the rights of workers that have been sacrificed during the 10 years of President Joko Widodo's administration. Protection of labor rights and welfare continue to be reduced in the name of investment convenience and economic recovery.

The government has also been criticized for silencing the constitutional and democratic rights of workers. They are no longer able to participate in determining policies and political decisions that impact the protection and fulfillment of their own and their families' rights.

"Throughout the post-reform era, regimes have changed while maintaining three labor policy packages that are not favorable to workers and labor unions," said Arif Maulana, Vice Chairman of Advocacy for YLBHI on Wednesday (May 1, 2024).

Also read: Labor Day Rumble

Since being elected as President in 2014, Jokowi has issued 7 economic policy packages that are considered to continue and exacerbate anti-worker policies. In 2015, Government Regulation Number 78 was passed despite widespread rejection from the labor movement.

Throughout the post-reform period, the regime changed by maintaining three labor policy packages that did not favor workers and trade unions.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

The shadow of activists is cast as they give a speech to commemorate Labor Day on Pahlawan Street, Semarang City, Central Java, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Workers who were on holiday still carried out a solidarity action to demand their welfare and push for changes in government policies related to several laws that are not in their favor.

Silencing

Through Government Regulation No. 78/2015, the determination of minimum wage is based on inflation and economic growth rates. This regulation is considered as marking the beginning of suppressing labor unions. The function and role of labor unions are stripped to fight for welfare for workers and their families as regulated in Law Number 21 Year 2000 concerning Labor Unions.

In 2020, the Government and the House of Representatives ratified the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which is unconstitutional and disregards democratic principles in its formation. This regulation has been rejected by all labor unions and many civil society organizations.

Its content is no different from the unconstitutional laws before it. Running for about three years, the Job Creation Law has had a negative impact on workers in Indonesia.

Based on the reasoning of "pressing urgency", Jokowi then issued a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) Number 2 of 2022 regarding Job Creation. "Its contents are no different from the previous unconstitutional law. Lasted for about three years, the Job Creation Law has had a negative impact on Indonesian laborers," added Arif.

By utilizing the Job Creation Law during the Covid-19 pandemic, investors have become more free to carry out flexible work arrangements, layoffs towards workers, and cheap wage politics. Based on data from YLBHI-LBH from March 2020 to April 2021, labor cases during Covid-19 have been high.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A vendor's umbrella with a background of a protest to commemorate Labor Day on Pahlawan Street, Semarang City, Central Java, on Wednesday (1/5/2024). The workers who were on holiday still carried out a solidarity action for labor rights, demanding their welfare and pushing for government policy changes related to several laws that are not in their favor.

The high number of layoffs indicates that the policies implemented have provided a double-layered red carpet for the flexibility of the labor market after the 2003 Labor Law.

Layoff numbers

Out of 106 cases collected, 79 of them were individual worker cases, while the rest were collective cases accompanied by labor unions. Based on the cases, unilateral layoffs occupied the top position with 69 cases, followed by 17 cases of workers being sent home without pay, 10 cases of contract issues, and 9 cases of union-busting.

"The high unemployment rate indicates that the policies implemented have given a double-layered red carpet for labor market flexibility after the Employment Law of 2003," said Arif.

The Omnibus Law on Job Creation also emphasizes that business permits must be simplified. This results in companies being able to relocate more easily and leave their workers without sufficient basic rights through layoffs.

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN/KRIS

President Joko Widodo accompanied by Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman (far left) and Acting Governor of NTB H Lalu Gita Ariadi (red jacket) cycled in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday (1/5/2024) morning. President Jokowi and his entourage were in Mataram City as part of their working visit to NTB from April 30 to May 2, 2024.

The YLBHI calls for the unity of the people's and labor movements to restore Indonesia's damaged democracy and rule of law in order to fight for the protection and fulfillment of Indonesian workers' rights.

Undo the damage to democracy

In commemoration of Labor Day 2024, YLBHI calls for the unity of the people's and labor movements to repair the damage to democracy and the rule of law in Indonesia to fight for the protection and fulfillment of the rights of Indonesian workers. YLBHI also urges the government and DPR to immediately revoke the Job Creation Law and various derivative regulations that suppress workers' rights and alienate workers and their families from welfare.

YLBHI also urges the government, DPR, Constitutional Court, and Supreme Court to stop authoritarian state management practices. In addition, it also calls for the cessation of discriminatory regulatory creation that ignores democratic principles, the constitution and human rights, and only benefits capital groups (investors) and oppresses workers.

The Indonesian National Police are requested to ensure the protection and respect of citizens' (workers') independence to organize, assemble, express their opinions and ideas, and express themselves. This is to fight for workers' rights in accordance with the constitutional mandate.

Previously, ahead of International Labour Day celebrated on May 1st, President Joko Widodo congratulated the International Labour Day through his social media page. President Jokowi emphasized that every worker is a daily hero.

Taking into consideration effectiveness and efficiency, the route will go directly from East Java to West Nusa Tenggara province without returning to Jakarta. Tomorrow in West Lombok, the President will inaugurate the implementation of a regional road in West Nusa Tenggara province.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR

Head of the Protocol Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, M Yusuf Permana, in a video broadcast of the launch of Pandang Istana, Tuesday (2/8/2022).

Workers have a role in keeping the wheels of the economy spinning. "Let us continue the spirit of struggle of workers to achieve justice and prosperity together. Happy International Workers' Day," said President Jokowi on Wednesday (May 1, 2024).

Also read: Wish Happy Labor Day, President: Workers are Heroes

On International Labour Day, President Jokowi was not in the capital city of Jakarta and was on a working visit to West Nusa Tenggara Province since Tuesday (30/4/2024). Acting Deputy of Protocol and Media Relations at the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, emphasized that the President's visit plan to East Java and continuing to NTB had actually been designed well in advance.

"Considering effectiveness and efficiency, the decision has been made to go directly from East Java to the province of NTB without returning to Jakarta. Tomorrow, in Lombok Barat, the President will inaugurate the implementation of regional road infrastructure projects in the NTB province," said Yusuf.

In West Sumbawa Regency, the President will inaugurate the Tiu Suntuk Dam. President Jokowi is scheduled to visit Sumbawa Regency to inspect the Seketeng Market and provide working capital assistance to small traders and street vendors. The President will also harvest corn together with the Minister of Agriculture and corn farmers.